VOICE OF THE PEOPLE | JUNE 10, 2014

Pity that in the colour photo on the front page of the June 7 Weekend Edition, Emily Macdonald of the Halifax Cycling Coalition is wearing no bright colours except for the red helmet. Most bicycle-automobile accidents have the postscript: “I didn’t see him/her!” — spoken by the operator of the motorized vehicle. (The same applies to motorcycle-automobile accidents).

As an avid biker, I am convinced that we must wear brightly coloured clothing to make ourselves as visible as possible and ride at all times as though we are invisible.

Andrew Nette, Port Williams

Russia vulnerable

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is to be commended for attempting to isolate Vladimir Putin economically. This tyrant holds a weak poker hand and might be vulnerable to severe economic sanctions, which can supplement (if not exacerbate) such internal Russian tensions as an Islamist terror threat, a low birth rate, high rates of alcoholism and a traditionally sub-par work ethic augmented by inefficient and poor- quality workmanship (thanks in no small measure to 70-plus years of communism).

Also, Europeans concerned about their dependence on Russia for energy (and concomitant reluctance to get tough with Putin) might want to consider hydraulic fracturing as a viable alternative, as well as the purchasing of oil and liquefied natural gas from Canada, once we have the ability to get these resources to European markets.

Kris Larsen, Halifax

Stadium pie in the sky

As a heavily burdened taxpayer, I cannot believe HRM Mayor Mike Savage seems hell-bent on building a very expensive, money-losing stadium.

The taxpayers of this province and this city are fed up watching their tax dollars supporting multimillion-dollar schemes for stadiums and convention centres that they will never use. It is never the common taxpayer who benefits from these schemes — only the wealthy organizers, politicians and friends of politicians and a few bars.

This province has one of the highest debts of any province in Canada and we are about to add more to it with a pie-in-the-sky scheme to build a useless stadium that will only produce a few minimum-wage, part-time jobs.

CFL commissioner Mark Cohon is selling this project by saying it would produce $180 million in spinoffs annually and that nothing will change for the average taxpayer. It has never been proven that stadiums produce economic benefits of this magnitude.

Mr. Savage, you can’t build a fancy gazebo, have a party and invite your friends while your house is falling down. When the things are fixed that need to be fixed, like hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and water and sewage infrastructure, then, and only then, can we start to talk about a stadium.

Gary MacLeod, Halifax

‘Burned’ lacked balance

Re: Part 1 of your series, “Burned” (May 30). From the outset, it appeared that the article was designed to highlight problematic events. Volunteer firefighters do fine work saving lives and personal property, and offering comfort at the scene. We must remember that they work in our communities and are friends and neighbours of those they serve.

Although I appreciate that this King’s College journalism project took three months to complete, it was sadly lacking in balance. I am at a loss as to why none of these students spoke with our local volunteer fire chief, Dave Raymer. Perhaps he could have added perspective and insight regarding the two unfortunate events highlighted in your May 30 story.

Over the past year, I have been contacted by executive members of HRM Fire Services to inform me that paid personnel were not available in Harrietsfield and that volunteers were to assume responsibility for the service. My message to them was, “As long as Dave Raymer is involved, I am comfortable with that arrangement.” I stand by volunteer fire chief Raymer, and all the dedicated volunteers who make our community safer for all.

Coun. Stephen Adams, District 11, Spryfield-Sambro Loop-Prospect Road

Volunteers real deal

Re: “Burned: The other side of the fire-service story,” (June 7 opinion piece by HRM volunteer fire chief David Raymer). I live in the Sambro-Harrietsfield community and the volunteer firefighters once responded to a chimney fire at my home. They managed to save my home and the foundation, with minimal damage to the chimney.

They stayed for hours to make sure the fire had not spread into the adjoining walls. I felt very safe, and never once felt they were less than “real firemen.” This may have been 25 five years ago, but I have never felt as though I was in any danger with this system in our community.

I am ashamed of The Chronicle Herald for printing a journalism school project on the front page. It seemed very biased in favour of the regular fire force, who I think are wonderful — but let’s face, it has an agenda.

As a taxpayer, I am not sure I could handle the union getting what it wants. Not only would salaries be added, but many of the buildings would have to be torn down and lovely new ones with sleeping, workout and cooking areas included. This might be the end result if there continues to be a volunteer recruitment problem in the future.

Full disclosure on my part: When my son received his high school diploma and started in the workforce, he wanted to give back to his community. He tossed around many things, but settled on the volunteer fire department. It has taken him literally hundreds of hours to train, and when his pager goes off, he runs with his gear. I do not think of him as someone who is place-filling until we can afford the real thing. I think of him as a fireman.